Time Crisis 4 with Guncon – PS3 – Preview


E3 2007 Preview

 

Every
crisis deserves a con – a GunCon. Time Crisis 4, the new, PS3-exclusive shooter
from Namco Bandai, will launch with a new GunCon that incorporates an analog
stick. Its purpose is two-fold: to eliminate the need for a pedal (which worked
in the arcade but was cumbersome at home) and to offer players the chance to
control their character in the series’ first take on off-rails first-person
shooting stages.

 

The
latter is a new mode that gives you greater control over the game.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t ready to be shown, so we’ll have to contain our
anticipation for another day. However, Namco Bandai was ready to show off the
basic arcade mode and how the new GunCon, improved PS3 graphics, and a superior
lightgun registry system are helping to make this the best sequel yet.

 


Time Crisis 4 with Guncon PlayStation 3 screenshots

 

The PS3
GunCon has two significant differences over past lightguns, both from Namco
Bandai and from other developers. The first difference is that it uses two
sensors to pick up the peripheral’s location, similar to the sensor bar for
Nintendo Wii, allowing full functionality with LCD televisions (something that
was not possible with the previous generation of lightguns). The sensors are to
be placed on the top left and right corners of your television.

 

The
second difference is that the GunCon, while mostly shaped like its predecessors,
now comes with an extended controller piece (with a thumbstick and two buttons)
that sticks out of the left side. You will find a second thumbstick on the back
of the gun, presumably for dual movement and camera controls in the first-person
mode.

 

Fans of
the arcade edition or any other Time Crisis title will be instantly hooked by
the super-fast, kill-or-be-killed gameplay. The GunCon worked great from any
angle, regardless of where I was standing. This made it both simple and fun to
aim and shoot, while the onslaught of enemies – which never seemed to stop
coming – made the game just as addictive as ever.

 


Time Crisis 4 with Guncon PlayStation 3 screenshots

 


Accuracy is the primary concern of lightgun shooters, and once again Time Crisis
4 delivers the goods. When my shots were dead on, the enemy didn’t have a chance
to react – he was a goner. But when my aim was messed up, I was the one who
suffered a hit (except for the few times I pushed the thumbstick fast enough to
dodge a bullet).

 

Because
this is based on an arcade game, most of the action occurs within the gun. You
select your weapon by shooting the gun icons on the bottom of the screen.

 

The
graphics aren’t as spectacular as Namco Bandai’s other PS3 offering, Dynasty
Warriors:GUNDAM, but still look very good. They’re at least a couple steps above
the arcade edition, running at a higher resolution and likely with more
polygons.

 

Headed
to PlayStation 3 this fall, Time Crisis 4 is set to be the first lightgun hit
for Sony’s new console. Stay tuned to GameZone as we bring you more information
on this and other hot titles that were on display at this year’s E3 Media and
Games Summit.